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ἄνεμος

ánemos

G417 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Wind; the movement of air, with a primary reference to natural atmospheric phenomena. In a literal sense, refers to the blowing or current of air; figuratively, can indicate change, instability, or invisible power. In some contexts (especially in the plural), used metonymically to refer to the directions of the compass or the quarters of the earth from which winds blow.

Semantic Range

wind, blowing/air movement, storm, tumult, change/instability (metaphorical), compass direction (in plural), quarters of the earth (metonymically)

Root / Etymology

From the base of ἀήρ (air, atmosphere); related to the root ἀνέω/ἀνέχω (to blow, to flow upward); ultimately of Indo-European origin associated with moving or breathing air.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἄνεμος is the standard term for wind, appearing in Homeric and classical texts with the basic sense of a moving current of air. In philosophical literature and Hellenistic sources, 'wind' could be natural (weather), mythological (personified winds as deities), or metaphorical (forces of change or passion). In the Septuagint and New Testament, ἄνεμος is used both literally (storms, breezes, natural wind) and figuratively (instability, spiritual forces). The plural ἄνεμοι commonly refers to the four winds or compass directions, as in Zechariah 6:5 LXX and Revelation 7:1. Unlike πνεῦμα, which can also mean spirit or breath and is more commonly used in philosophical or theological contexts, ἄνεμος remains focused on tangible, meteorological wind or force. English translations as 'wind' or 'winds' usually capture the core sense but often miss figurative or collective nuances (such as 'quarters of the earth'). The association with cosmic or eschatological motifs (holding back the four winds) reflects literary and apocalyptic traditions of the Second Temple period.

Translation Consistency

primary "wind" 31 occurrences

'Wind' is the natural, common English noun covering the primary literal sense (blowing/air movement), fits plural uses ('winds') for compass quarters and storms, and easily carries the metaphorical senses of change or invisible power. It matches the majority of existing renderings and keeps translation consistent and idiomatic.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the base of ἀήρ; wind; (plural) by implication, (the four) quarters (of the earth):--wind.

Root Family

ἄνεμος (anemos) — wind, blowing, current of air

Root ἀνέμ- wind, blowing, current of air

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G417-05 ἄνεμος anemos N NOM M SG wind wind wind 8
G417-06 ἀνέμου anemou N GEN M SG wind of wind of wind 7
G417-04 ἄνεμον anemon N ACC M SG winds wind winds 5
G417-01 ἀνέμῳ anemo N DAT M SG wind to the wind wind 4
G417-02 ἄνεμοι anemoi N NOM M PL winds winds winds 3
G417-07 ἀνέμους anemous N ACC M PL winds winds winds 2
G417-03 ἀνέμοις anemois N DAT M PL winds to winds to winds 2

Occurrences in Scripture

31 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G417-02 Matthew 7:25 ἄνεμοι anemoi N NOM M PL winds winds winds
G417-02 Matthew 7:27 ἄνεμοι anemoi N NOM M PL winds winds winds
G417-03 Matthew 8:26 ἀνέμοις anemois N DAT M PL winds to winds to winds
G417-02 Matthew 8:27 ἄνεμοι anemoi N NOM M PL winds winds winds
G417-06 Matthew 11:7 ἀνέμου anemou N GEN M SG the wind of wind of wind
G417-05 Matthew 14:24 ἄνεμος anemos N NOM M SG wind wind wind
G417-04 Matthew 14:30 ἄνεμον anemon N ACC M SG wind wind wind
G417-05 Matthew 14:32 ἄνεμος anemos N NOM M SG wind wind wind
G417-04 Matthew 24:31 ἀνέμων anemon N GEN M PL winds wind winds
G417-06 Mark 4:37 ἀνέμου anemou N GEN M SG of wind of wind of wind
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